The Scorpion begin gathering an army at Shiro no Mori Amimono, under the
command of Bayushi Yorinaga. Samurai travelling to the castle encounter
a strange blind swordsman called Zatoichi.

A unit from the Kawayo Thunder Legion is ordered to hunt down Crane scouts
hiding in Wonderful Ocean View Village. During the skirmish, the Scorpion
gunso, Bayushi Fakuro, is maimed by a flying saw-blade. The Crane spies
are killed by the Scorpion. In the forests, two of the Scorpion encounter
a mysterious Tainted shugenja or demon who called himself Abashimori.

Scouts are sent out into the forest to find Abashimori. They find Zatoichi
living in the forest, and encounter a tribe of ratlings lead by a Crane-trained
Ratling bushi.

The Crane ratling is captured. The Scorpion manage to trick Abashimori,
baiting their trap with the Kawayo Thunder Legion standard. Abashimori
is cut down by Masaru's naginata while trapped by Ito's Tomb of Jade.

Lion and Crab forces clash at Beiden Pass. Toturi defeats the Crab commander,
Hida Sukune, and the Crab defences are breached. Yogo Junzo opens a Black
Scroll, unleashing a terrible power upon the Lion army. The Akodo are utterly
vanquished by Junzo's dark magic.

The Scorpion and Crane fight a battle at the shores by Sunda Mizu Mura.
A sea-fog covers the battlefield. The Scorpion commander, Bayushi Hamanari,
becomes convinced that a Crab unit has fled the battlefield, and moves
the Kawayo Thunder Legion through the mist to replace the Crab. The Legion
discover the Crab were holding their position. Meanwhile, the Crane exploit
the weakness in the Scorpion defenses, and the battle is lost.

The characters retreat to Sunda Mizu Mura, and hold out until help arrives.
Later, Hamanari is removed from his position. A new commander, Kyobe, arrives.

Meanwhile...

Bayushi Tsuyite becomes daimyo of Tochu province.

The Oracle of Water takes up residence in a small castle in Tochu province.

Isawa Shinzui consults with Yuki no Onna and the Elemental Council.

Daidoji Henshu becomes Minister of the Exchequer.

Year 1 of Hantei the 39th/First Year of the Shogunate, Summer

The Legion is brought up to half strength - three companies. Fakuro and
Kiri are both promoted to Chui. Masaru becomes a Gunso.

While scouting Kawayo Province, the Legion uncovers a second Black Scroll.

The Scroll is returned to Shiro no Mori Amimono. Ichiro reveals that the
Kawayo Thunder Legion were appointed as guardians of the scroll centuries
ago. Various factions - the Legion, the Political Office, the Yogo, and
others - lay claim to the Scroll. Yorinaga rules that the Scroll will remain
in the castle until it can be safely given into the custody of First Minister
Shoju.

A great offensive against the Crane begins. Ninja assassins kill many key
Crane commanders, and the Daidoji crumble before the Scorpion advance.
New and secret weapons are issued to the second company of the Legion.

Under the command of Kyobe, the Legion defeats a Crane army on the shores
sound of Shiro no Kaze. A flotilla of ships carrying Lion reinforcements
is driven back from the shore. The Lion land at Shiro no Kaze.

The Scorpion army under the command of Bayushi Kyobe besieges Shiro no
Kaze. A mysterious messenger attempts to poison Bayushi Fakuro. The poisoning
is discovered, and the messenger is revealed to be Shosuro Tamari. He is
forced to commit seppuku.

In a massive land battle, the Lion army is defeated by the Kawayo Thunders.
The Lion commander escapes. The commander of the Scorpion army, Bayushi
Kyobe, is revealed to be Bayushi Hotasu, and is slain by Fakuro.

Meanwhile...

Tsuyite discovers Oni no Akasha in Shinomen Forest.

Shinzui joins the White Lotus Society.

Henshu is sent to the Islands of Silk to win the support of the Mantis
Clan.

Year 1 of Hantei the 39th/First Year of the Shogunate, Summer

The Kawayo Thunders take possession of Shiro No Kaze. However, the combined
forces of a second Lion army, under the command of Matsu Ketsui, and the
Master of Earth force the Scorpion into retreat.

Bayushi Masaru is wounded by a mysterious dragon-spirit.

To placate the spirits of the castle, Yogo Ito swears never to kill a Crane.

The retreating Thunder Legion encounter a mysterious village, ruled by
a demon who attempts to trick them into revealing the location of the Scroll.